Previous Story Cystic Fibrosis The average life-expectancy for a person living with Cystic Fibrosis is just 31 years. But now, a new drug is available, breathing new life into C.F. patients and possibly extending their lives. 15-year-old Emily Schaller looks like an average teenager, wearing her Grosse Isle High School varsity coat, but how she feels makes Emily a bit different. Emily is one of the 30-thousand people in the county battling the deadly lung disease, cystic fibrosis. CF is a genetic disease that produces an increased amount of thick mucus in the lungs, often leading to infection. Emily-"I cough a lot, for a week or two." Up until now, Cystic Fibrosis patients took a variety of drugs, usually orally or intravenously, but there are consequences. Now, a new drug called Tobi, the first inhaled antibiotic for the treatment of Cystic Fibrosis is helping CF patients breathe much easier without the toxic side effects. More importantly, Tobi may even lengthen a CF patients life expectancy beyond the predicted 31 years. Emily tries to lead a normal life, which includes managing the high school varsity football team and using Tobi will make it that much easier. Home | Upcoming Stories | Previous Stories |Survey | About Healthy Living | E-Mail